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Blue Jays: Five Underrated Players To Watch During Spring Training

By Callum Belshaw

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Richard Urena #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays warms up moments before the start of their MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on April 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Richard Urena #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays warms up moments before the start of their MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on April 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, CANADA – JUNE 11: Ace the mascot of the Toronto Blue Jays waves a large Blue Jays flag bearing the team logo during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles on June 11, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
TORONTO, CANADA – JUNE 11: Ace the mascot of the Toronto Blue Jays waves a large Blue Jays flag bearing the team logo during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles on June 11, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

I’m sure by now we’re all aware of who the Blue Jays’ stars are.  We all know guys like Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Hyun Jin Ryu, and we’re aware of what roles they are going to play on this team.  Spring Training is a time to focus on some of the lesser known players.  Whether it is a highly touted prospect, or a journeyman fighting for a roster spot, I love Spring Training as it is a chance to see the depth of the organization.

During Spring Training, you get a glimpse of young players who may be superstars in the future, but you also get to see guys who may contribute off the bench, in a bullpen role or as a mid season call up for the coming season.  The Jays are by no means a complete team right now, no team is.  You look back to 2015 and 2016 where yes, Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion were definitely the stars and the driving force of the team.  Along with these guys, the Jays got huge contributions from lesser known players like Chris Colabello, Marco Estrada and Devon Travis (when healthy).

The Jays are going to need players like this on this year’s team if they are going to contend for a playoff spot.  They have great depth in the organization and I wanted to take a look at some of the more underrated players who I think have a chance to make an impact on this team.